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A cross-sectional study of Trichinella spp. infection in wolves (Canis lupus) reveals first evidence of T. spiralis in the species in Poland

Agnieszka Świątalska

Agnieszka Świątalska

Veterinary Hygiene LaboratoryGdańsk, Poland
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Świątalska, Agnieszka
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Ewa Bilska-Zając

Ewa Bilska-Zając

Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Bee and Aquatic Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstitutePuławy, Poland
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Bilska-Zając, Ewa
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Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba

Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba

Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Bee and Aquatic Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstitutePuławy, Poland
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Korpysa-Dzirba, Weronika
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Aneta Bełcik

Aneta Bełcik

Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Bee and Aquatic Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstitutePuławy, Poland
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Bełcik, Aneta
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Michał Konrad Krzysiak

Michał Konrad Krzysiak

Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, University of Life Sciences in LublinLublin, Poland
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Krzysiak, Michał Konrad
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Magdalena Larska

Magdalena Larska

Department of Virology and Viral Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research InstitutePuławy, Poland
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Larska, Magdalena
  
17 set 2025
A cross-sectional study of Trichinella spp. infection in wolves (Canis lupus) reveals first evidence of T. spiralis in the species in Poland's Cover Image
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Pubblicato online: 17 set 2025
Ricevuto: 07 feb 2025
Accettato: 02 set 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2025-0046
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© 2025 Agnieszka Świątalska et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Introduction

Trichinella spp. is an important zoonotic nematode parasite which infects a variety of hosts, not only including omnivorous and carnivorous animals but also herbivores. The environment and wildlife play a crucial role in nematode circulation in Poland. Trichinella spp. are present in prey animals, and the growth in the wolf population makes them potentially one of the major reservoirs, spreaders and/or indicators of Trichinella presence in their prey. The main aims of the study were to demonstrate the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in wolves, identify the predilection sites, and evaluate the species diversity and possible risk factors.

Material and Methods

Forelimb, diaphragm and tongue muscle samples from 96 wolves from all over the country were examined by microscopy and molecular identification of parasitic isolates from them was made by multiplex PCR.

Results

A total of 43 wolves (44%) were infected with Trichinella spp. For the first time, T. spiralis was detected in these animals, being noted in almost half of the cases. Trichinella spiralis infections were clustered in the north-west of the country.

Conclusion

The high Trichinella prevalence in the apex predator suggests the wolf’s growing importance in the circulation and transmission of this food-borne parasite. This also indicates the importance of the disposal of carcasses to prevent the risks of animal and human exposure to this dangerous pathogen and the spread of Trichinella in a sylvatic environment.
Lingua:
Inglese
Frequenza di pubblicazione:
4 volte all'anno
Argomenti della rivista:
Scienze biologiche, Biologia molecolare, Microbiologia e virologia, Scienze della vita, altro, Medicina, Medicina veterinaria
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